A contestant in the upcoming Miss USA competition who has revealed she was conceived after rape wants to use the platform to send a positive message to victims of assault.
Miss Pennsylvania Valerie Gatto, told the Today Show how her mother was attacked and raped at gunpoint when she was 19-years old. The 24-year old now wants to use her mother’s rape experience to teach women to become educated and stay aware of sexual assault.
The model, who will compete for the Miss USA crown crown on Sunday, told the show:
“Being a child of a rape, not knowing who my father is, not knowing if he’s ever been found, most people would think it’s such a negative situation. Being a voice is life-changing, and I just want to keep going.”
Gatto shared her mother’s story, relaying how her mother was attacked on a busy street, dragged behind a building and raped at gunpoint. Her mother took a chance to flee and managed to get away from her attacker before being murdered.
Gatto was told about the attack from a young age recalling how her mother sat her down saying:
“Something bad happened to me. A very bad man hurt me, but God gave me you.”
The pageant contestant is now hoping she can use the traumatic experience to teach others about the realities of sexual violence, encouraging women to be aware of their surroundings.
Gatto is hoping to win the Miss USA pageant so it can provide her with a larger platform to educate women and stand as a role model for those who have been victims themselves.
Gatto graduated with distinction from the University of Pittsburgh before pursuing an acting career. She will compete for the Miss USA crown this Sunday.
